Tazewell County, Virginia Court Records
VirginiaStateCourts.us is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the FCRA and does not provide consumer reports. All searches conducted on VirginiaStateCourts.us are subject to the Terms of Service and Privacy Notice.
Tazewell County sits in the coalfields region of southwestern Virginia and is served by three courts: the Circuit Court, the General District Court, and the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. All three operate within the 29th Judicial Circuit and District, with courtrooms located primarily in Tazewell. These courts generate a wide range of records—dockets, pleadings, orders, decrees, affidavits, motions, exhibits, and case dispositions—that together document every legal proceeding from first filing through final judgment.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Tazewell County?
You have several practical options for finding case information. A good place to start is VirginiaStateCourts.us, which can help you navigate publicly available court case information for Tazewell County and across the Commonwealth. From there, the Virginia Judiciary Online Case Information System (OCIS 2.0) offers a free statewide search tool covering Circuit, General District, and Juvenile and Domestic Relations courts. You can search by name, case number, or hearing date at no cost.
For Circuit Court records specifically, the Circuit Court Case Information portal lets you search by name or case number across all Virginia circuit courts, including Tazewell. General District Court cases—traffic violations, misdemeanors, and civil matters—are searchable through the General District Court Case Information system. In-person searches are also available at each court's clerk window during regular business hours. Bring a full legal name or case number to make the process faster.
Are Court Records Public in Tazewell County?
Virginia operates under a presumption of openness. The Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) establishes that all records held by public bodies—including court clerks—are presumed open for inspection and copying unless a specific exemption applies. Anyone, regardless of where they live or why they're asking, may inspect and copy publicly accessible court records at Tazewell County clerk offices during regular business hours.
That said, certain types of records are withheld from the public under Virginia law. The most common restrictions come from Virginia Code 16.1-305 and Virginia Code 2.2-3706. The following categories are restricted:
- Juvenile delinquency and abuse/neglect records
- Adoption files and related proceedings
- Sealed and expunged records
- Involuntary commitment records
- Mental health competency evaluations and medical diagnoses
- Financial statements submitted in litigation
- Records identifying victims or witnesses in sensitive cases
- Active law enforcement investigation files
- Any court record whose disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
Records subject to criminal sealing under Virginia's Clean Slate legislation are also withheld. Court clerks are directed to construe exemptions narrowly and disclose records unless there is a clear statutory basis for withholding them.
Tazewell County Criminal Court Records
Criminal matters in Tazewell County are split between two courts based on the seriousness of the charge. The General District Court handles misdemeanor offenses, traffic violations, and preliminary hearings for felony charges. Felonies move to the Circuit Court for trial and final adjudication. Appeals from the General District Court on criminal matters are heard de novo in the Circuit Court—meaning the Circuit Court takes a fresh look at the case.
Tazewell County Circuit Court Criminal Division
Address: 135 Court Street, Suite 202, Tazewell, VA 24651-1071
Phone: (276) 385-1200
Fax: (276) 988-7501
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Clerk of Court: Hon. Charity D. Hurst
Tazewell County General District Court
Address: 135 Court Street, Suite 300, Tazewell, VA 24651-1081
Phone: (276) 385-1563
Fax: (276) 988-6202
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Clerk of Court: Crystal D. Crouse
For criminal case searches, the OCIS 2.0 statewide portal and the Circuit Court case information system are the main online tools. Both display charge details, case status, disposition dates, and sentencing information for public criminal records. Felony preliminary hearings are scheduled on the 2nd and 4th Fridays in General District Court. Misdemeanor appeal days follow the day after each Circuit Court Term Day, which begins on the second Tuesday of January, March, May, July, September, and November.
Statewide Criminal History Background Checks
If you need a certified Virginia criminal history record, requests go through the Virginia State Police Civil & Applicant Records Exchange (CARE). You'll need to complete Form SP-167, have it notarized, and mail it to:
Virginia State Police CARE
7700 Midlothian Turnpike
N. Chesterfield, VA 23235
Key details for this process:
- Fee: $15.00 per name search (money order, certified check, or credit card accepted)
- Fingerprint-based state and federal search: $13.75 (VSP CARE) + $13.25 (FBI) = $27.00 combined
- Processing time: approximately 15 business days after receipt
- No expedited or same-day service is available
- Drop-off in person is permitted at the Chesterfield headquarters but does not accelerate processing
For current inmates held at a state correctional facility, the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail Authority (SWVRJA) maintains an online roster of current facility inmates.
Tazewell County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Tazewell County flows through two courts depending on the claim amount. The General District Court has exclusive jurisdiction over civil claims up to $4,500 and shares concurrent jurisdiction with the Circuit Court for claims between $4,500 and $25,000. The Circuit Court holds exclusive jurisdiction over matters exceeding $25,000, as well as equitable actions, quiet title suits, and real property disputes of any dollar amount.
Civil Jurisdiction at a Glance:
| Claim Amount | Court |
|---|---|
| Up to $4,500 | General District Court (exclusive) |
| $4,500 – $25,000 | Either court (concurrent jurisdiction) |
| Over $25,000 | Circuit Court (exclusive) |
| Small Claims | Up to $5,000 in General District Court small claims division |
Small claims hearings in the General District Court follow a simplified procedure under Virginia Code 16.1-122.1 et seq., allowing parties to represent themselves without an attorney. Claims cannot exceed $5,000, and personal property recovery actions are capped at the same amount.
Civil records from both courts are searchable through the OCIS 2.0 system and the General District Court case portal. In-person requests at the appropriate clerk's office allow you to inspect and copy filed pleadings, docket entries, judgments, and related documents. The General District Court schedules civil attorney cases and unlawful detainers on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month, with contested warrants in debt and garnishments following at 10:00 a.m.
For civil forms applicable to both courts, the Virginia Courts forms library has standardized downloadable documents. The Access to Justice Self-Help Center also offers guided resources for individuals navigating civil proceedings on their own.
Tazewell County Family Court Records
Family law cases in Tazewell County are divided between two courts depending on the nature of the matter. The Circuit Court handles divorce, annulment, adoption, and name changes. The Juvenile and Domestic Relations (JDR) District Court handles custody, visitation, child support, paternity, protective orders, and cases involving juveniles.
Tazewell County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court
Address: 135 Court Street, Tazewell, VA 24651
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 613, Tazewell, VA 24651
Phone: (276) 385-1290
Fax: (276) 988-3726
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Clerk of Court: J. Karen Allison
Key jurisdictional breakdown:
- Circuit Court: Divorce, legal separation, annulment, adoption, name changes, appeals from JDR decisions on custody and support
- JDR District Court: Child custody, visitation, child support, spousal support (pendente lite), paternity, protective orders, juvenile delinquency, and child abuse/neglect proceedings
Marriage Licenses and Divorce Records
Marriage licenses are issued by the Tazewell County Circuit Court Clerk's Office. Applicants must appear in person with valid identification. The clerk's office at 135 Court Street, Suite 202, Tazewell, VA 24651, handles issuance during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Divorce records are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk. Certified copies may be requested in person or by mail from the clerk's office. Only the divorcing parties, their immediate family members, and persons with legal authorization may obtain certified divorce decrees.
Vital Records – Birth and Death Certificates
Birth and death records for Tazewell County are not held at the county level—they're maintained by the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records. The current fee is $15.00 per search, whether or not the record is found. You can submit requests online, by mail, or in person:
By mail:
VDH Office of Vital Records
P.O. Box 1000, Richmond, VA 23218-1000
In person:
2001 Maywill Street, Suite 101, Richmond, VA 23230
Approved request forms for birth certificates and death certificates are available on the VDH website. Access is restricted to the registrant, immediate family members, legal representatives, and others with a demonstrated legal need. Marriage and divorce records from 1936 onward are also available through the Vital Records office at the same fee.
Protective Orders
If you need an emergency protective order due to domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault, you can file directly with the JDR District Court clerk. The General District Court also hears protective order petitions on most Wednesday and Thursday afternoons, with hearings scheduled at 2:00 p.m. The Virginia Judiciary's domestic violence programs page has statewide resources and procedural guidance for protective order petitioners.
For JDR court forms—including petitions for custody, visitation, and support modifications—the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court forms library has approved standardized documents.
Tazewell County Probate Court Records
Virginia doesn't have a standalone probate court. Instead, probate jurisdiction rests with the Circuit Court. The Tazewell County Circuit Court, through its dedicated Probate Division, handles wills, estate administration, trusts, guardianships, and conservatorships. Probate Division deputy clerks can answer general questions about the process and are reachable through the Circuit Court Clerk's Office at (276) 385-1200.
What the Probate Division Handles:
- Probate of wills and issuance of letters testamentary
- Administration of intestate estates (letters of administration)
- Conservatorship and guardianship appointments
- Trust proceedings
- Fiduciary accountings
How to Access Probate Records
Probate case records are generally public—subject to any court-ordered sealing—and can be searched through the Circuit Court Case Information portal by name, case number, or hearing date. In-person requests at the Circuit Court Clerk's Office allow you to inspect and copy filed wills, inventories, accountings, and orders.
Fees for Probate Matters
Virginia probate costs include both a state probate tax and clerk's fees. The probate tax is assessed at approximately $1.33 per $1,000 of the taxable estate value. Clerk's fees vary based on the complexity and size of the estate. The Virginia Courts Circuit Court fee schedule (Appendix C) details applicable charges for probate filings, copies, and certifications.
Property and Land Records
The Circuit Court Clerk also records and maintains all land records for Tazewell County, including deeds, deeds of trust, plats, liens, and related instruments. Deed recordings are accepted Monday through Friday until 3:45 p.m. Remote access to land records is available through the Secure Remote Access (SRA) portal on a subscription basis at $50.00 per month per user. Subscribers must execute an agreement with the Tazewell County Circuit Court Clerk's Office before receiving login credentials. For those who want to monitor title changes, the VADeedAlert notification service is also available through the Virginia court system's online tools.